Current timestamp: 29/01/2023 22:53:10
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

cheshire-header-logo ( 1)

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Man jailed for more than eight years following fatal collision on the M6

Main article content

Navigation

News

14:27 20/01/2023

John Yates.jpg

A man who left another motorist to die following a collision on the M6 has been jailed.

John Yates appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 20 January where he was sentenced to 11 years in prison – reduced to eight years and three months in prison for an early guilty plea.

The 28-year-old, of no fixed abode but from North Wales, had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen.

The charges relate to a collision which occurred at around 12.30am on Tuesday 15 November 2022, on the M6 northbound between junctions 20, Lymm, and 21, Thelwall.

Temporary roadworks were in place at the time, meaning that all vehicles were required to merge into lane four.

An advisory speed limit of 50 mph was put in place, and other drivers were adhering to this reduced speed.

Despite multiple signs warning of the roadworks ahead, Yates continued to travel at high speed and was seen undertaking a number of vehicles in order to skip the traffic.

As he approached the area where the traffic was merging, Yates’ white Volkswagen Scirocco collided with the side of a Peugeot 307 before hitting the back of a black Peugeot 107 at high speed.

Following the crash, Yates was seen exiting his car and running off from the scene.

Emergency services quickly attended following a search of the area Yates was located at and arrested at around 5.30am after he returned to the motorway.

While police searched for Yates, paramedics treated the other motorists involved in the collision.

Thankfully the driver of the Peugeot 307, a 28-year-old woman from Preston, along with a 25-year-old passenger, both escaped with minor injuries.

However, the driver of the Peugeot 107, Christopher Smith, 41, from St Helens, sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to the Salford Royal hospital.

Sadly, despite the best effort of all those involved, Christopher passed away on Wednesday 16 November, as a result of the injuries he sustained in the collision.

Following the sentencing, Sergeant Simon Degg, of the Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, said:

“Yates cowardly left the scene. Rather than staying to try to help Christopher and face the consequences of his actions, he ran off and left him to die.

“Even after he was located, he denied any involvement in the collision, and throughout questioning he declined to answer any questions and refused to provide samples of breath or blood. His parting comments to investigators was that he puts all of his trust in those investigating the collision.

“That investigation showed that Yates was travelling at 128mph when he collided unnecessarily with the rear of Christophers car.

“Christopher was a true gentleman, he had left work early that day so that he could spend time with his heavily pregnant wife. He was excited at the prospect of becoming a dad and a gentleman who was doing nothing wrong whatsoever.

“While Yates pleaded guilty, he had shown no remorse of his actions and he deserves to be behind bars for a substantial amount of time.

“Because of the actions taken by Yates that day, Christopher will never get to meet his child and be the loving father that he would have been.

“While no court result could ever make up for the loss or the pain that his family have endured, but I hope that the conclusion of this case will provide some closure.

“Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.”

In addition to his prison sentence Yates was banned from driving for seven years, to commence once released from prison.

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Cheshire Constabulary

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Campaigns
  • News
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.